“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12)

Believe it or not there are many lessons a Christian can learn from birds. Let’s take a look at a few.

If you ever observed birds, they are very protective of their young. A Sand Piper bird will fake a broken wing as they lead you away from the nest. If a predator falls for it, they will find themselves chasing after what they think is a helpless bird. Suddenly the bird takes off into the air and the predator is far from the nest. Some birds will dive bomb anyone or anything that gets near where the nest is. If you get near some domesticated birds, they will bite your fingers if you go near their eggs.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:3-6)

God protects us too. God protected the children of Israel from the Egyptians. He led them into the Sea and the Jews fled away. The walls of Jericho fell (dive bombed) so the Jews could take the city (the nest). And He loves and protects us today.

Birds provide protective homes for their young. Finding a place to safely place and hatch their eggs, raise their young to the point of independence, is a challenge birds have solved in many clever ways. Some birds build nests hidden away inside vegetation. The Hornbill seals herself into the nest and stays inside the tree cavity throughout incubation. An Australian bird will pick the fur from the back of a koala to make the nest comfy for her young. Some find secure homes in caves and rock ledges.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

God promises us a safe home.

There are some birds that are called ‘Brood Parasites,’ birds that never build their own nests but lay their eggs in the nest of other species. The cuckoo is the best know brood parasite. She will remove one egg of the other birds nest and replace it with hers. Somehow she is able to match the size and color of the nest she is invading. But many of the birds learn to recognize the cuckoo egg and discards their egg. There are several other species that follow this way of life.

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”(Matthew 25:32-33)

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)

And there are many more comparisons. Although God does not have wings, He has loving arms to wrap around us. So I will close with this song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.